Neolith® and the City – Calacatta Gold specified for Hilton Hotel in Milan

Cool, elegant, contemporary but ultimately classic, Milan is without a doubt Italy’s design capital. Therefore, it is not surprising that the interior refurbishment of the Hilton Milan, located in the heart of the Centro Direzionale, was to reflect the quintessential Milanese aesthetic. Interior designers The Hickson Design Partnership (THDP) specified Neolith® Calacatta Gold to meet the client’s design brief and create a look that reminds guests of an upmarket Milanese residence.

THDP found inspiration in Villa Necchi Campiglio, a 1930s building designed by architect Pietro Portaluppi. While the exterior is rather severe and rationalist, the interior is rich and indulgent. Neolith Calacatta Gold perfectly fit the narrative as Calacatta marble is synonymous with luxury.

In comparison to the original stone, the Neolith decor has the added bonus of combining exclusive and delicate design that provides the look and feel of marble from Carrara with the inherent high-tech properties of Sintered Stone. Using Neolith Digital Design (NDD), a ground-breaking digital decoration technique, Calacatta Gold offers a rigorous marble-like decor with bold dramatic veining that resembles nature at its closest, with a hint of gold for a sophisticated design.

Being conscious of the man-made vs natural products issue, THDP was pleased to have found a sustainable alternative to real marble. The extensive marble extraction industry in Italy modifies and imbalances the natural environment, while Neolith’s Calacatta Gold allowed THDP to create the authentic look of deluxe marble without the issues relating to sustainability, availability, maintenance and costs associated with the real deal. Furthermore, genuine marble by its very nature can be an impractical material for architects and designers to work with when it comes to renovation projects; Neolith is lightweight, easy to handle and can also be conveniently placed onto already existing surfaces.

Another benefit of Neolith Calacatta Gold is its outstanding property in terms of compaction and durability. Resistant to scratches, impacts, abrasion, frost, high temperatures, and UV-exposure, it is suitable for areas with high footfall, such as hotels. Specified to clad the reception pods in the hotel lobby and the fireplace hearth area, the Neolith Calacatta Gold décor was bookmatched, and the edges mitred at a 45° angle for a seamless effect. The end result was a sophisticated and luxurious design which complemented the metallic brass and bronze finishes that THDP used in the colour palette of the lobby.